LOS ANGELES — More patients are asking dentists about fluoride-free toothpaste made with hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral promoted heavily on social media, according to NPR.
‘There’s a lot of interest from the patients,’ said Dr. Jin-Ho Phark, an associate professor of clinical dentistry at USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
Part of the appeal is that hydroxyapatite is similar to tooth enamel, and some research suggests it may help with sensitivity, NPR reported.
Bennett Amaechi, a professor of dentistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio, told NPR that a growing number of people are refusing or hesitant to use fluoride, especially for their children.
Low levels of fluoride are generally considered safe and key to preventing cavities, and Amaechi said there is no concrete evidence of harm to children’s IQ at those levels.
Dr. Livia Tenuta of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry noted links between oral health and the rest of the body. Anyone thinking about switching should ask their dentist which option fits them best.
Sources: NPR. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Steve Buissinne, South Africa / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
